Buncombe County News

This news item expired on 6/30/2014, so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.

Warm Weather Brings out Driveway Scams

Warm weather is just around the corner, and seasonal driveway scammers are already at work. These hit-and-run crooks knock on doors, usually saying they just finished a job nearby and have leftover materials. If your driveway is already paved, they may offer to “reseal” it at a bargain price.

But the price turns out to be exorbitantly high, and the quality of the materials and the workmanship are rock-bottom. That “seal” will wash away with the next rain, and if you pay these scammers to pave your driveway, the asphalt will crumble in a matter of weeks.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has taken five driveway scammers to court in recent years. One scammer currently awaiting sentencing in federal court is facing up to 30 years in prison.

These con artists typically operate under a number of different company names, but they all leave ripped-off consumers in their wake. The victims, who are often seniors, usually lose $3,000 – $6,000.

Don’t get steamrolled by a paving scammer!

Be skeptical of anyone who knocks at your door offering to work on your home.

Always check out a company thoroughly and get estimates in writing first.

Remember, the person who comes to your door selling services is supposed to tell you that you have three days to change your mind and cancel the contract in writing. They often “forget” to inform you of your three-day right to cancel. But that law can still provide a helpful remedy against a spur-of-the-moment decision that you quickly come to regret.

If you or someone you know has been approached by a paving scammer, report it to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or filing a complaint online at www.ncdoj.gov.

This message brought to you on behalf of North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper.